Psalm 23 Sheep and Shepherd Maslows Hierarchy of

Psalm 23 Sheep and Shepherd

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Man’s Basic needs-food, water, clothing, shelter, sleep, sex Sheep need all of these things too

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Man’s Safety needssecurity of body, employment, health, property Sheep just need security of the body

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Man’s Social needs – (Belonging) love, affection, family, friendship, sexual intimacy Sheep can take it or leave it.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Man’s Esteem Needs – confidence, position, status, being part of a successful group or winning team Sheep do not have this need.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Man’s Self actualization need-achieving individual potential, setting and meeting personal goals. Sheep definitely do not have this need.

Psalm 23 Verse 1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ” Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide

Our Keeper, protector “The Lord will always have his eye upon his people, in their straits and distresses, that he may give them seasonable help. ”—Matthew Henry

The Apostle Paul said this to the Philippians, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ” Phil 4: 11 (KJV) NOTE: We can learn to be content, sheep do not learn contentment.

Psalm 23 Verse 2 “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: …. ”

Psalm 23 Question: If he has led us to this pasture, (a place where our needs are met)….

Psalm 23 Should we looking and longing for this pasture if He has not led us here? Is the grass always greener on the other side?

Psalm 23 But this is exactly what sheep do, they are wanderers and sometimes they wander into trouble. Notice that there are three sheep in the hole. Sometimes when we wander we take others with us.

Psalm 23 Even though we get into trouble on our own, many times we need help to get out of it.

Psalm 23 Jeremiah says it this way, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. ” Jeremiah 10: 23 (KJV)

Psalm 23 Verse 2 “…. he leadeth me beside the still waters. ” FACT: Sheep cannot drink from fast flowing water. The shepherd knew this.

Psalm 23 Verse 3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ”

Psalm 23 Verse 4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: …. ” Notice that it does not say “Yea, though I avoid the valley of the shadow of death”

Sometimes a shepherd had to move the sheep through narrow passageways where thieves and carnivorous animals would hide hoping to ambush the herd and try to kill the shepherd in order to steal the sheep. If anything ever happened to the shepherd the sheep would be frightened and in disarray. This is why Jesus in Mark 6: 34 would see many people, and be moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd.

Psalm 23 Verse 4 “…. for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ”

Uses of the Rod and Staff Rod – a defensive weapon to ward off attacks on the herd Staff – instrument used to pull sheep back from danger and back into the fold.

Psalm 23 Verse 5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: …. ” In other words, His provision for us will never stop, even in front of our enemies.

Psalm 23 Verse 5 “…. thou anointest my head with oil; …. ” In other words, God’s anointed enjoy His favor.

Psalm 23 Verse 5 “…. my cup runneth over. ” In other words, God’s abundant blessings overflow for His anointed.

Psalm 23 Verse 6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. ”